As Sunday was the 10th anniversary of the earthquake that devastated Haiti in 2010, and as Puerto Rico continues to suffer from a two-week-long series of temblors, a contractor in Mobile, Alabama, this week faces a key court hearing as he seeks justice for relief work done after a disaster 22 years ago.

The contractor seeks damages for nonpayment of what originally was $51 million of disaster relief work his company did after Hurricane Mitch ravaged Honduras in 1998. The U.S. government shamefully opposes the contractor’s efforts to be repaid. Its position makes it less likely other American contractors will risk major time and money to help the government provide effective relief even when directed by law.